Geranium plant named ‘Genlibred’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Geranium  plant named ‘Genlibred’ that is characterized by semi-double red flowers, medium green foliage, an early flower response and a faint zonation pattern.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum.

Variety denomination: ‘Genlibred’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant botanically known as Pelargonium×hortorum and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Genlibred’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by the inventor in a cultivated area of Hagenbach, Germany. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new Geranium cultivars with that are early flowering with semi-double flowers and medium green foliage.

‘Genlibred’ is a hybrid that originated from the induced hybridization of the female or seed parent a proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum identified by number E225 (not patented) and the male or pollen parent a proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum identified by number C154 (not patented). The cultivar ‘Genlibred’ was selected by the inventor in 1999 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment of Hagenbach, Germany.

Asexual reproduction by terminal cuttings of the new cultivar ‘Genlibred’ were taken in 1999 in Hagenbach, Germany. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Geranium cultivar ‘Genlibred’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Genlibred’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other known existing varieties of Geranium.

-   -   1. Geranium ‘Genlibred’ exhibits red flowers.     -   2. Geranium ‘Genlibred’ exhibits semi-double flowers.     -   3. Geranium ‘Genlibred’ exhibits medium green foliage.     -   4. Geranium ‘Genlibred’ exhibits an early flower response.     -   5. Geranium ‘Genlibred’ exhibits a weak zonation pattern.

The closest comparison variety is Geranium ‘Robe’ (not patented). ‘Genlibred’ is different than ‘Robe’ in having a larger overall size, longer internodes, a larger quantity of flowers and earlier flowering.

The new cultivar ‘Genlibred’ is distinguishable from the female parent Geranium proprietary selection E225 by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Genlibred’ has darker red flowers.     -   2. ‘Genlibred’ has a less prominent zonation pattern. E225 has a         strong zonation pattern.     -   3. ‘Genlibred’ has lighter green leaves.

The new cultivar ‘Genlibred’ is distinguishable from the male parent Geranium proprietary selection C154 by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Genlibred’ has a larger habit.     -   2. ‘Genlibred’ has a weak zonation pattern. C154 has no zonation         pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits of Geranium ‘Genlibred’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a 12 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Geranium cultivar named ‘Genlibred’. Data was collected in Hagenbach, Germany from 12 week old plants grown under glass greenhouse conditions. The plants were grown in 12 cm diameter containers. The time of year was Spring and the daytime temperature ranged from 18 to 26° Centigrade. The temperature at night ranged from 16 to 20° Centigrade. The light level was 20 to 35 klux. No photoperiodic treatments were used. The growth retardant Cycocel 720 was applied at a rate of 0.05 percent. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species.

‘Genlibred’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum cultivar ‘Genlibred’. -   Annual or perennial: Annual. -   Parentage: ‘Genlibred’ is a hybrid plant that resulted from the     induced hybridization of the following parent plants:     -   -   Female parent.—A proprietary selection of             Pelargonium×hortorum identified by number E225.         -   Male parent.—A proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum             identified by number C154. -   Vigor: Moderate. -   Growth rate: Approximately 6.5 cm. per month. -   Growth habit: Upright, outwardly spreading. -   Plant shape: Globose. -   Plant height: Average 20 cm. in height. -   Plant width: Average 19 cm. in width. -   Suitable container size: 10 to 12 cm containers. -   Propagation: Terminal cuttings. -   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 5-7 days to produce roots on     an initial cutting. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: Approximately 20-24 days. -   Crop time: From a rooted cutting, approximately 12 weeks are     required to produce a finished flowering plant. -   High temperature tolerance: 40 degrees Centigrade. -   Low temperature tolerance: 0 degrees Centigrade. -   Root system: Fine and fibrous. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Free branching.         -   Basal branching.—Yes.         -   Average number of lateral branches.—7.         -   Pinching.—No.         -   Lateral branch dimensions.—14 cm. in length and 1 cm. in             diameter.         -   Lateral branch strength.—Moderately strong.         -   Color.—143B.         -   Texture.—Fine pubescence is present.         -   Internode length.—2.4 cm. between nodes.         -   Shape.—Round. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—5.         -   Leaf shape.—Reniform.         -   Leaf apex.—Rounded.         -   Leaf base.—Cordate.         -   Leaf length.—5.5 cm. in length.         -   Leaf width.—8.5 cm. in width.         -   Texture.—Fine pubescence is present on both upper and lower             leaf surfaces.         -   Leaf margin.—Bicrenate.         -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—144A.         -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—144B.         -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—137 A to 137 B.         -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—137C.         -   Vein color (upper surface).—144B.         -   Vein color (lower surface).144D.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Petiole dimensions.—6.5 cm. in length and 3.0 mm. in width.         -   Petiole color.—144A.         -   Petiole texture.—Fine pubescence is present.         -   Zonation pattern.—Faint, color: red-brown. -   Stipules:     -   -   Stipule dimensions.—0.8 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width.         -   Stipule color.—143C. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower arrangement.—Rounded hemispherical umbels.         -   Inflorescence type.—Umbel.         -   Inflorescence dimensions.—5.5 cm in height and 10.5 cm in             width.         -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 18.         -   Quantity of flower buds per lateral stem.—Approximately 15.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 120.         -   Flowering season.—Spring to Summer.         -   Time to flower or response time.—Approximately 8 weeks.         -   Rate of flower opening.—Approximately 50% of the flowers are             opened at once.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Flower bud dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 3.8 mm. in             diameter.         -   Flower bud shape.—Ovoid.         -   Bud color.—143B.         -   Rate of bud opening.—3 days.         -   Flower aspect.—Upright.         -   Flower shape.—Shallow cup shaped, rounded, semi-double.         -   Flower dimensions.—5.3 cm. in diameter and 1.5 cm. in             height.         -   Flower longevity.—Lasts approximately 10 days on plant.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Number of petals.—7.         -   Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.         -   Petal shape.—Ovate.         -   Petal margin.—Entire.         -   Petal apex.—Rounded.         -   Petal base.—Attenuate.         -   Petal dimensions.—2.7 cm. in length and 2.4 cm. in width.         -   Upper petal color when opening (upper side).—44A.         -   Lower petal color when opening (upper side).—46B.         -   Upper petal color when opening (under side).—43B.         -   Lower petal color when opening (under side).—46C.         -   Upper petal color fully opened (upper side).—44A.         -   Lower petal color fully opened (upper side).—46B.         -   Upper petal color fully opened (under side).—43B.         -   Lower petal color fully opened (under side).—46C.         -   Petaloids.—2 triangle shaped, 2.0 cm in length and 4 mm in             width, color 44A. -   Self-cleaning or persistent: Persistent. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number of sepals.—5.         -   Sepal surface.—Upper side: dull and pubescent, Lower side:             glabrous.         -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Sepal margin.—Entire.         -   Sepal apex.—Acute.         -   Sepal base.—Cuneate.         -   Sepal dimensions.—1.0 cm. in length and 2.5 mm. in width.         -   Sepal color immature (upper side).—143B.         -   Sepal color immature (under side).—143B.         -   Sepal color mature (upper side).—143B, lighter red at the             base.         -   Sepal color mature (under side).—143B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Peduncle dimensions.—9.5 cm. in length and 3.0 mm. in             diameter.         -   Peduncle angle.—10°.         -   Peduncle color.—144A.         -   Peduncle strength.—Moderate.         -   Peduncle texture.—Fine pubescence is present. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Pedicel dimensions.—2.1 cm. in length and 1.2 mm. in             diameter.         -   Pedicel angle.—45°.         -   Pedicel color (young).—143A.         -   Pedicel color (mature).—46A.         -   Pedicel strength.—Moderate.         -   Pedicel texture.—Fine pubescence is present. -   Reproduction organs:     -   -   Stamen number.—6.         -   Anther shape.—Ovate.         -   Anther dimensions.—2.5 mm.         -   Anther color.—61B.         -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.         -   Pollen color.—31A.         -   Pistil number.—1 in number.         -   Pistil dimensions.—8 mm. in length.         -   Stigma shape.—Five parted, star shaped.         -   Stigma color.—46A.         -   Style length.—5 mm.         -   Style color.—46A.         -   Ovary color.—143B. -   Seed: Seed production has not been observed. -   Disease and pest resistance: Plants of the new geranium have not     been observed for disease or pest resistance. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant named ‘Genlibred’ as described and illustrated. 